Apparatus for the recording,by-the-line of symbols on a sheet-like carrier



Jan. 21, 1969 H. STRASSNER ETAL 3,422,753

APPARATUS FOR THE RECORDING, BY-THE-LINE OF v SYMBOLS ON A SHEET-LIKECARRIER Filed Aug. 51, 1966 Sheet i N V E N TO RS fle/ber/ 57762550 9/U/r/b/I 5/ 'eaerzs/ed/ ATTYS.

Jan: 2 1969 H. STRASSNER ETAL 3 APPARATUS FOR THE RECORDING. BY-THE-LINEOF SYMBOLS ON A SHEET'LIKE CARRIER Filed Aug. 31, 1966 7 Sheet 3 of 2INVENTORS ///erberf 5/7"assner U/rv'ch B/eaera/e'az JD QM' ATTYS.

United States Patent fi ice U.S. Cl. 101-45 2 Claims Int. Cl. B41j; B411ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for by-the-line recording ofsymbols on a sheet-like record carrier in Which the symbols aresequentially recorded on an intermediate carrier at a single fixedrecording point, to form a line of symbols thereon, the symbols of oneline immediately following the symbols of the following line Withoutregard to the length of the preceding line, a plurality of individuallyoperable printing elements arranged in line direction, cooperable withsaid intermediate carrier for effecting a transfer of the symbols for anentire line from the intermediate carrier to the sheet-like recordcarrier, by actuation of only those printing elements required for theprinting of the particular line involved.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the recording by the line ofsymbols on a sheet-like record carrier, utilizing an endless tape-likeintermediate carrier upon which the symbols are recorded one afteranother at a single, locally fixed point, by a recording element, andsubsequently applied, a line at a time, to the sheet-like record carrierby means of impression elements, forming parallel lines of printing.

Such processes and apparatus for the execution of these processes areemployed in so-called high speed printers. As a rule, high speedprinters are data-recording devices in which the recording of symbols ofone or several lines is simultaneously performed, such as thesimultaneous recording of symbols of the same kind of one line.Furthermore, when using chain printers, it is possible to simultaneouslyprint several symbols in one line, dependent on whether the desiredsymbol merely stands in front of an impression point. It is common toall such apparatus that in line direction, one impression element is setup per impression point so that the symbols of a line may at leasttheoretically be recorded simultaneously.

With regard to data recording devices, mechanical, non-mechanical andcombined mechanical and non-mechanical high speed printing processes areknown.

Purely mechanical high speed printing processes are characterized inthat a type cylinder, type chain or one or several similar type carriersis conducted past the record carrier to be printed upon, and thatimpression elements which consist of a constructional unit or ofindividual elements are disposed in line direction. When the correctsymbol passes by the impression point, the impression elements eitherstrike the type carrier, moving it into engagement with the recordcarrier, or vice versa, whereby the record carrier is moved intoengagement with the type carrier.

In purely non-mechanical high speed printing processes, the symbols areapplied to the record carrier by the line, for example,photo-electrically, in which case the record carrier must consist ofspecial material, or by means of dispensing recording elements forcolored material or ink, arranged in line direction. An importantadvantage of such non-mechanical printing processes, in comparison withmechanical printing processes, is the higher writing speed obtainableand the small amount of noise created. The disadvantage resides in theincreased operating expenditure, in particular, with respect to recordcarriers of special materials which must be utilized.

Combinations of mechanical and non-mechanical printing processes areemployed to enable the use of normal Writing paper for the recording ofthe information symbols. The symbols are recorded in non-mechanicalmanner on an intermediate carrier which consists of a special paper.Subsequently the symbol recorded in this manner is colored with printingdye, such printing dye, which presents the outlines of the symbols to beprinted, then being mechanically applied to the record carrier by meansof printing elements.

When employing the described printing processes, or printing processesoperating according to similar principles, it is necessary to employstorage devices in which the successively arriving information symbolsare stored, with the symbols of a line being subsequentlysimultaneeously transmitted to the printing apparatus. Such storageinstallations, requiring a high electronic expenditure, however, arenecessary for the use of all known high speed printing processes.

Beyond this, an apparatus for sheet writers has become known in whichsymbols are, at a locally fixed point, applied to a tape-like endlessintermediate carrier, one after another, from which intermediatecarriers these signs are brought upon the real sheet-like recordcarrier, by the line, and in parallel relation, by means of a suitablebar. Ahead of the recording point, the tape-like endless intermediatecarrier is cleaned to enable the reception of new symbols. In thisrecording process it is necessary that one entire line be completed onthe intermediate carrier whether or not information symbols appear forthe line. If the information intended for a line is shorter than theline length on the sheet-like record carrier, the amount left on theintermediate carrier remains empty. Such feature implies that after theinformation symbol, idle symbols have to be conducted to the recordingelement so that the total of the information symbols and the idlesymbols corresponds to the normal of symbols which can appear on oneline of the sheet-like record carrier. Since these idle symbols alsohave to be produced during the production of the information, anincreased transfer time, and simultaneously, also an increased recordingtime is required because of this feature. Furthermore this recordingprocess has the disadvantage that normally the information is not athand in a manner suitable for high speed printers in which a printing ofthe symbols, by the line, is effected.

As a rule, the information exists in a form suitable for utilization innormal sheet printing machines in which, following receipt of the lastinformation symbol, the carriage return and the line advancingimmediately takes place. With regard to this information, existing incustomary form, the transfer time is also restricted to a minimum.

It is the purpose of the invention to provide an installa tion whichmakes full use of the information existing in customary form, byrecording the symbols by the line,

in parallel relation on the sheet-like record carrier. According to theinvention, the problem is solved by an apparatus which is characterizedin that in a line direction of the sheet-like record carrier, a numberof individual printing hammers, printing the color symbols by the lineand in parallel relation, from the intermediate carrier upon the recordcarrier, and in which said hammers can be operated independently of eachother in dependence upon the number of symbol positions registered inthe particular line to be printed. During the recording upon theintermediate carrier by means of the recording Patented Jan. 21, 1969element, a counting device is operable to count the symbols of theparticular line, enabling the symbols of the next line to immediatelyoperatively follow the last symbol of the preceding line.

This process has the advantage that only one recording element isrequired for a single symbol position. Because of the recording of theindividual signs one after another an electronic storage installation isnot necessary as the symbols may be applied to the intermediate carrierin series as they are delivered from the data processing apparatus. Inspite of this, the symbols can be printed on the record carrier by theline. This is advantageous since in the case where the symbols have tobe printed mechanically, one after another, the mechanical printingelements are not suitable for high speeds which would occur in thiscase. However, if the recording of the symbols is done by the line, acorrespondingly higher interval of time during which the printingelements can move to and from the printing point is available for theindividual symbol impression. In comparison therewith, the impressiontime is extremely short.

By means of an apparatus according to the invention, the expenditure incomparison with known line printing apparatus is not increased, butrather additionally reduced. In the known line printing apparatus aswell as also in the apparatus according to the invention, a countingdevice which counts the number of symbols per line, recorded by therecording element upon the intermediate carrier is provided. With regardto the known apparatus it is additionally necessary that the followingsymbols be stored by a storage device for a sufficient time to permitthe intermediate carrier to be transported by so many symbol intervalsthat the information symbols intended for the particular line have beensupplemented by idle symbols .so that the entire line width of thesheet-like record carrier is filled. In the apparatus here involved sucha storage device is not necessary. Only that amount of space actuallycorresponding to the symbol to be recorded on the sheet-like recordcarrier is required per line on the intermediate carrier. Subsequentlythis is at once followed, after the interval which contains no symbol onthe intermediate carrier and which is utilized for the reception of thesigns WR WR Z1 (double carriage return and single line advancement,which symbol combination or transfer code group is transmitted aftereach information line), by the recording of the symbols for the nextline. To prevent printing of these symbols, intended for the followingline, onto the preceding line, only as many hammers are allowed to beoperated as there are symbols to be printed on the respective line, withthe number of hammers to be operated being determined by the countingdevice.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention,the width of the individual printing hammers, arranged side by side, isequal to the width of the number of symbols to be printed whichcorresponds to the number of symbols required between two lines,received in series with the symbols to be printed, initiating thetransfer to the next line. The transfer code group or the symbolsinitiating the transfer to the next line are WR WR Z1. Consequently thewidth of the individual printing hammers, arranged side by side, isequal to the width of three symbols to be recorded. Because of thisfeature, the symbol counting device may be simplified and the number ofprinting hammers set up in line direction may be reduced to one-third.By this selection of the printing hammers, it is assumed that at the endof the line an interval of at least one symbol width will exist betweenthe last operated printing hammer and the next symbol intended for thenext line.

According to a development of the recording apparatus embodying theinvention, the individual symbols to be recorded on the sheet-likerecord carrier are recorded on the intermediate carrier by suitablerecording elements, arranged transversely to the advance Slift of theintermediate carrier, in a point raster, for forming a point screenacross the intermediate carrier. The screen points representing thesymbol height, being recorded by the individual recording elements andthe screen points, representing the symbol width, being sequentiallyrecorded by such recording elements. The recording of symbols by meansof raster points results in the advantage that the same recordingelements may be used in like manner for all of the occurring symbols. Bymeans of raster points, symbols can also be reproduced which normallyare not included in the usual customary symbol groups.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention,the recording elements disposed transversely to the advance direction ofthe intermediate carrier are offset in relation to each other. Becauseof this feature, no reciprocal influencing occurs between recordingelements lying in side by side relation.

Another preferred development of the apparatus according to theinvention is characterized in that ink dispensing elements reproduce theshape of the symbols to be printed one after another onto anintermediate carrier, following which the ink symbols are printed on thesheetlike record carrier, by the line, in a flying manner by mechanicalmeans, for example, by individual printing hammers. Through this processthe powder chamber, the auxiliary electrode, the ink fixing device withvariable diaphragm, the high voltage requirement, and the erase head areeliminated.

Details of the invention will be described in connection with examplesof construction illustrated in the drawings, wherein like referencecharacters indicate like or corresponding parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a high speed printing installation,wherein a magnetic tape is utilized as an intermediate carrier;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of such high speed printing installation inthe vicinity of a printing hammer, utilizing an auxiliary electrode;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view, similar to FIG. 2, of the high speedprinting installation in the range of a printing hammer, utilizing amoistener for the record carrier; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of such a high speed printing installation.

An intermediate carrier 1 is provided with a magnetic layer, and carriedby two rollers 2, 3 is advanced in the direction of the arrow past sevenwriting heads 4, located perpendicularly to the transport direction,side-by-side relation, at a fixed position on the path of theintermediate carrier 1 (as best illustrated in FIG. 4). The intermediatecarrier then moves from the writing heads 4 through a powder chamber 5which is filled with magnetic printing ink 6, between a sheet-likerecord carrier 7 and printing hammers 8 disposed opposite to such recordcarrier, over an erase head 9 and finally over a cleaning brush 10. Oneof the two rollers 2, 3 is driven with constant speed by a suitablemotor 18. Disposed behind the sheet-like record carrier, opposite to theprinting hammers 8, is an auxiliary electrode 11. By rneans of thewriting heads, the symbols delivered, for example, from a dataprocessing machine, are magnetized in a point raster onto the magneticmaterial of the intermediate carrier 1. Subsequently, the intermediatecarrier arrives in the powder chamber 5, where the magnetic printingcolor or ink 6 (hereafter designated printing ink) in the chamber 5adheres to the magnetic spots of the intermediate carrier 1.Accordingly, the symbols to be printed appear on the intermediatecarrier 1 in the magnetic printing ink. After the powder chamber, theintermediate carrier with the printing ink representing the symbols tobe printed, arrives in front of the sheet-like record carrier 7. Whenthe intermediate carrier has advanced sufiiciently that all symbolswhich are supposed to be printed on the sheet-like record carrier 7 in asingle line have arrived between the sheet-like record carrier and theprinting hammers 8 disposed opposite thereto, the printing of all ofsuch symbols, by means of the printing hammers 8 upon the sheet-likerecord carrier, is simultaneously effected in a flying manner. Theprinting is effected in this case by the actual striking of the printinghammers upon the intermediate carrier 1 and at such moment the printingink is transferred to the sheet-like record carrier 7. The motion of theindividual printing hammers 8 toward the record carrier takesconsiderably more time than the actual printing process and is initiatedprior thereto. After the print ing of the symbols, the intermediatecarrier is conducted around the roll 2 to an erase head 9, at which thesymbols recorded magnetically upon the intermediate carrier 1 areremoved so that a new magnetizing of the intermediate carrier 1 by theWriting heads 4 can be effected. The intermediate carrier is cleaned ofany remaining printing ink by means of a cleaning brush past which theintermediate carrier 1 is conducted.

The auxiliary electrode 11 on the reverse side of the sheet-like recordcarrier 7, operable during the actual printing, may consist of apermanent magnet, or of conductors connected to a voltage ofapproximately 6 kv. It retains the printing ink on the paper during thehammer impact either by magnetic or by electrostatic forces. Theauxiliary electrode 11 may be omitted if the face of the paper toreceive the printing ink is moistened with water prior to the printing,by means of a moistener 12, illustrated in FIG. 3, so that the printingink is retained by adhesion.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the line-byline advancement ofthe sheet-like record carrier 7, which is withdrawn from a paper stockroll 13 is effected after each printing operation by a caterpillar-typetoothed belt 14. The time interval available therefor during which theintermediate carrier is advanced by the width of the record carrier, issufficient for the advancement of the record carrier. In order to fixthe printing ink on the record carrier 7, the record carrier isconducted past a heat source 15 which is screened by an adjustablediaphragm 16.

Instead of utilizing a magnetic intermediate carrier which is magnetizedby magnetic writing heads and subsequently receives magnetic printingink, it is possible to use a normal plastic tape upon which the symbolsare applied with a multi-trace ink jet writing head. When employing thishigh speed printing apparatus, it is possible to conduct the ink jetthrough an electrostatic deflecting optical system. The limits for theoperating speed of such a line-printing apparatus are determined only bythe time interval to be made available for the line advancement, sincethe time for the code combination symbols WR WR Z1 is considered to besufiicient for the line advancing.

Changes may be made within the scope and spirit of the appended claimswhich define what is believed to be new and desired to have protected byLetters Patent.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for the recording, by-the-line, of symbols upon asheet-like record carrier, comprising an endless tape-like intermediatecarrier, arranged for movement in a path of a line-direction across theface of the sheet-like record carrier involved; means at a fixedposition in the path of the intermediate carrier for recordingindividual symbols, one at a time, on said intermediate carrier, tosequentially form a line of symbols thereon and providing spaces betweensuccessive lines which are representative of transfer code group, saidtransfer code group comprising at least one carriage return signal and aline feed signal, said symbols appearing on said intermediate carrier inthe form of respective inked characters, with the symbols for the nextline immediately following the symbols for the preceding line andseparated therefrom by a space equal to the width of said transfer codegroup without regard to the length of such preceding line; and aplurality of individually operable printing elements arranged inline-direction in cooperable relation to said intermediate recordcarrier, each of said printing elements having a width equal to or lessthan said space between successive lines, and being operative tosimultaneously transfer the inked symbols for an entire line from theintermediate carrier to said record carrier in response to actuation ofone or more printing elements associated with the symbols to betransferred for the particular line involved.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the width of eachindividual printing element is equal to the width of said transfer codegroup.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,925,312 2/ 1960 Hollmann.2,985,135 5/1961 Hickerson. 3,045,587 7/1962 Schwertz. 3,058,415 10/1962Hoffmann. 3,060,429 10/ 1962 Winston. 3,072,046 1/1963 Shull. 3,142,8407/ 1964 Smith et al. 3,144,821 8/1964 Drejza 10193 3,161,544 12/1964Berry. 3,164,084 1/1965 Paige 101-93 3,169,473 2/1965 Irwin et al.101-93 3,261,284 7/ 1966 Lynott et al. 3,045,587 7/ 1962 Schwertz 101-13,225,883 12/ 1965 Ayres 197--9 X ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

EDGAR s. BURR, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. c1. X.R.

